Abstract
Edge Effects and Submicron Tracks in Magnetic Tape Recording
As track widths in magnetic tape recording are approaching few micrometers, increasingly
better control of the track edges is required. This thesis is concerned with the investigation of
the recording process in narrow tracks down to the submicron range, with emphasis on edge
effects. Side writing and erasing were primarily treated, as they represent critical limitations
for increasing the track density. Side reading was also addressed, however, it is not
considered to be a severe issue for modern tape storage systems. Diverse investigation
methods were applied and explored, including track profiling techniques and magnetic force
microscope (MFM) imaging. A novel triple-track profiling model able to assess erase bands
down to 0.2 µm and below was introduced, as well as an original technique for studying the
recording process in submicron tracks, based on microtrack measurements. The principles
for developing a recording tester with ultimate performances aimed at track widths below 0.5
µm were also laid down.
Narrow track recording and edge effects were analyzed using advanced Helical Scan
Silicon (HSS) heads and MIG heads with pole widths from 1.3 µm to 6.2 µm. Various ME and
MP tapes were employed, having the thickness of the magnetic layer between 50 nm and
300 nm. The HSS heads were shown to write narrow tracks with well defined edges due to
the good alignment of their poles and short gap lengths. Erase bands within 0.25 µm were
measured at very short recording wavelengths down to 0.2 µm, for a HSS head with 0.11 µm
gap length. They were obtained using a ME tape with thin recording layer of 50 nm and
coercivity of 164 kA/m, being the thinnest erase bands reported to date in tape recording. It is
demonstrated that good control of side writing and erasing is achieved using well aligned
heads with short gap length and thin recording layers with high coercivity.
Original language | Undefined |
---|---|
Awarding Institution |
|
Supervisors/Advisors |
|
Thesis sponsors | |
Award date | 1 Mar 2005 |
Place of Publication | Enschede |
Publisher | |
Print ISBNs | 90-365-2166-1 |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2005 |
Keywords
- SMI-REC: RECORDING
- SMI-TST: From 2006 in EWI-TST
- EWI-5331
- IR-50436
- METIS-226253